Reaching a turning point

A turning point emerges when a new force — a fact, a discovery, an experience — changes the way we address our course of events. What matters is that turning points of life may be spontaneous, or they may be created.” ~Gregg Braden

A lot of times we say we want change, but we resist the elements that accompany the very change we desire. We become paralyzed in a mixed state of uncertainty and denial until a turning point is reached. To lay the conditions for a turning point, we look to this week’s Seven Secrets to Stage:

1. Set the intention and wait.

Initially, it’s important to release the panicky urge to “just do something!” until you have the inspiration that guides and nudges you forward in heart-aligned action. Quiet the mind and be patient as you wait for the feeling to arrive.

2. Tend your mental garden.

Next, be aware of what sorts of beliefs and energies you are allowing in. Look for examples of your desires manifested in another or in your past experience, rather than evidence of the contrary. Cultivate the right mental conditions for the truth to be revealed so you can liberate yourself from the shackles of your limiting beliefs.

Confession time…Blog entry, May 2017

However, now as my daughter turns three, I realize there’s more at play […] I will be exploring this issue in the weeks ahead […] stay tuned.” ~Me

For my last contest in 2014, I had some swelling in my abdomen from being four months postpartum. This prep, I didn’t have that excuse so I began to worry that the changes to my midsection were permanent and worsening. This concern was only echoed and reinforced in the studio where I meet plenty of women complaining about their pudgy mid-sections with a strong sense of inevitability.

Exploring diastasis recti (pregnancy-induced abdominal separation), I started to become convinced that I – like most mommies – had this condition. Mine was located right around my navel, an area where there was the most noticeable protrusion and space for my fingers to dig into.

I realized this type of thinking… obsession at the level of the problem — was only throwing a monkey wrench into my midsection manifestation. With awareness, I checked myself and made the conscious decision to stop Googling…

Identifying with the problem doesn’t help you overcome the problem.

I worked to be open to a solution and deferential to my coach, letting go of the need to troubleshoot, analyze, and investigate the situation further. What I discovered over the weeks and months that followed has been enlightening and… let’s just say, humbling:

Lose enough body fat and the issue basically goes away…

The perfect segue to my next secret:

3. Don’t overthink it.

Midsection reveal…one week out

Fat is fat. Through adherence to a well-structured plan, we can shed body fat from any and all areas of the body — including the pesky mommy tummy! A few caveats carry us into the remaining secrets, paying particular attention to the nuances of female body transformation:

4. Eat for optimal hormonal response.

The reason why women often struggle with stubborn pounds around the “hormonal” areas of tummy, hips, and thighs — or suffer from metabolic damage — is because they “diet like a dude”, they yo-yo, or they go too extreme too fast. Women are more delicate than men in dieting due to the complexity and fluctuating nature of their hormonal balance.

It’s also important to realize that it’s not one plan fits all…or even the case that what worked well for you once will work equally well now. Just as every body is different, your body is constantly changing, too. This is why observation and tweaking over time are essential. I’ve never had two identical contest preps…

5. Train for optimal hormonal response.

Specifically, here, I am referring to cardiovascular workouts and how they are integrated and modified throughout body transformation. Whether it’s for contest or not, there should be a longer view of the hormones when leaning out…beyond stage for the next stage..and the one after that and, above all…for life in general!

6. Access your alternative energy.

…you have a phenomenal amount of energy inside of you. It doesn’t come from food and it doesn’t come from sleep. This energy is always available to you. At any moment you can draw upon it. It just wells up and fills you from inside.” ~Michael A. Singer

When dieting gets more intense, I am amazed how, counterintuitive to the caloric picture, working out actually makes me feel better. In my final weeks of contest prep, that second round of cardio may have been critical for leaning me out, but it was instrumental in lifting me out of the dieting doldrums. Even though it was furthering the caloric deficit, the movement itself created feel-better energy. Part of this is explained by what I’m doing mentally as I train physically.

As I’ve mentioned before, “reading while cardio-ing” is one of my top go-to practices. Mentally absorbing inspiring content aligns me with the physically inspiring aspects of cardio: heart-pumping blood flow, the mood-enhancing endorphin release, and the feelings of accomplishment and success from proving myself more capable than I realized.

Recognizing the way the mind feeds the body, we uncover our final secret this week, another biggie for inducing a turning point in any type of transformation:

7. Be open and receptive to change.

A few weeks ago, when egg whites were replaced with chicken breast in my breakfast, I was not happy and decidedly resistant. Ditto for the 9pm salad with white fish that replaced my cookies n’ cream shake. And, while we’re on the subject, the cream of rice that replaced cinnamon raisin Ezekiel toast was tough to take at first…but, as I acclimated to the new menu, I noticed I started looking forward to the new choices and not missing my old go-to’s.

By getting past your routine and initial resistance, you’ll reap the myriad benefits from switching up the menu.

There is detriment to being in a rut in any sense of the word. Stagnation ensues. The same goes for the foods we eat. Over time, our bodies get less bang from the nutritional buck. Switching foods brings the positive healthy properties from different foods and prevents our bodies from plateauing, developing food allergies, and declining.

This doesn’t mean you have to (or necessarily should…) change the menu every day, but, if you’re like most of us and gravitate toward the same foods all the time, your body will not respond as well as it did initially… no matter how healthy or supposedly “perfect” the food or meal is.

Looking to create a turning point in your personal transformation? Distant Star Coaching is perfect for the self-starter that wants the powerful combo of guidance and accountability…without the personal trainer scheduling hassle or expense. Discover if Distant Star is right for you — click here to start the convo…